Some of the biggest investment opportunities are driven by long-term structural change.

Megatrends such as electrification, artificial intelligence, and the shift toward new energy sources tend to play out over many years.

While picking individual winners can be difficult, you don’t have to worry about that.

That’s because there are ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) that allow investors to gain diversified exposure to these themes in a simple and accessible way.

Here are three ASX ETFs that provide exposure to some of the most compelling megatrends shaping the global economy.

Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ASX: ACDC)

The first ASX ETF to look at is the Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF. It is designed to capture the backbone of the electrification trend.

This ETF invests in shares across the battery supply chain, including lithium miners such as PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), battery manufacturers, and energy storage specialists. This gives investors exposure not just to electric vehicles, but also to grid storage, consumer electronics, and industrial batteries.

Lithium prices have rebounded strongly as demand accelerates and supply struggles to keep pace. With electric vehicle adoption continuing and energy storage becoming increasingly important for renewable power, the long-term case for battery technology remains intact.

The Global X Battery Tech & Lithium ETF allows investors to participate in this theme without relying on a single commodity producer or technology outcome.

Betashares Global Uranium ETF (ASX: URNM)

The second ASX ETF to look at is the Betashares Global Uranium ETF. It offers investors exposure to what many believe could be a multi-year turnaround for nuclear energy.

Governments around the world are reassessing nuclear power as a reliable, low-emissions energy source. At the same time, rising electricity demand from data centres, electrification, and AI workloads is putting pressure on existing power systems.

Uranium supply remains constrained after years of underinvestment, while demand is expected to grow steadily over the coming decade. This combination has led many analysts to anticipate a prolonged uranium bull market.

The Betashares Global Uranium ETF provides diversified exposure to uranium miners and nuclear fuel companies like Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN), allowing investors to access this theme without the risks of picking individual stocks.

Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (ASX: RBTZ)

Finally, the Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF focuses on the technologies reshaping how work gets done.

This ETF invests in shares involved in robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and software. These technologies are increasingly being adopted to address labour shortages, improve efficiency, and handle growing volumes of data.

Unlike consumer-facing tech trends, robotics and AI are deeply embedded in industrial and enterprise processes. That makes adoption more structural than cyclical.

The Betashares Global Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF gives investors exposure to the tools and systems enabling this transformation like Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), rather than betting on any single application or use case.

The post 3 ASX ETFs for exposure to exciting megatrends appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 5 strong ASX ETFs to buy in your 30s
• Own MNRS or ARMR ETFs? Here’s why it’s a big day for you
• 3 fantastic ASX ETFs for growth investors to buy before it’s too late
• My top 3 artificial intelligence ASX stocks to buy for 2026
• 5 excellent ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield, Hub24, Lovisa, Megaport, Netwealth Group, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 and Lovisa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

When investors talk about blue chip shares, they are usually referring to businesses that have proven their worth over decades rather than years.

These are companies with scale, entrenched market positions, and the ability to keep delivering through changing economic conditions.

One popular blue-chip share on the local market is Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW). Is it a buy right now? Here’s what I think.

A business built on everyday relevance

At the heart of Woolworths is a simple advantage that is surprisingly powerful. The company is woven into the weekly routines of millions of Australians.

In fact, it estimates that it serves 24 million customers each week across its growing network of businesses.

Food and groceries are not discretionary purchases. That gives Woolworths a level of demand stability that few businesses can match. While consumer preferences and shopping habits may evolve, the underlying need for food retail does not disappear. This provides a strong foundation for long-term earnings.

This everyday relevance is one of the key traits investors look for in a blue-chip company. And Woolworths has it in spades.

Scale that is hard to challenge

Woolworths’ size is not just about having more stores. It operates a nationwide ecosystem that includes procurement, distribution centres, private-label sourcing, data analytics, and digital platforms.

That scale creates advantages competitors struggle to replicate. It also allows Woolworths to negotiate effectively with suppliers, invest in efficiency, and respond quickly to changes in customer behaviour. Over time, these advantages help protect margins and support consistent cash generation.

A track record of adaptation

Blue chip companies cannot stand still. The good news is that Woolworths has shown it can adapt as retail changes, whether through improving supply chain efficiency, expanding online grocery services, or refining its loyalty and digital engagement strategies.

These changes are rarely dramatic, but they matter because they help the business remain relevant rather than relying on past success.

The company’s focus on steady improvement rather than aggressive reinvention has allowed it to navigate inflation, cost pressures, and shifting consumer expectations more effectively than many peers.

Consistency

Woolworths shares are unlikely to be the most exciting purchase you will make.

However, blue chip investing is not about excitement. It is about reliability. Woolworths has a long history of generating cash flow, paying dividends, and maintaining a strong market position even when conditions are challenging.

For investors building a long-term portfolio, that consistency can be just as valuable as high growth.

Should you buy Woolworths shares?

Woolworths shares tick the key boxes investors typically associate with a blue chip.

And with its shares still trading comfortably below their 52-week high and the company’s outlook improving, I think now could be an opportune time to pick them up.

The post Are Woolworths shares a blue-chip buy? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build an ASX share portfolio for income and growth
• Why Goldman Sachs expects Woolworths shares to leap 21%, plus dividends!
• 5 excellent ASX dividend stocks I would buy in 2026
• How to build your first ASX share portfolio step by step
• 5 reasons to buy Woolworths shares in 2026

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

If you are looking for some big returns to supercharge your investment portfolio, then read on.

That’s because analysts at Morgans have just named two ASX 200 shares as buys with the potential to rise strongly from current levels.

Here’s what the broker is recommending:

Amcor (ASX: AMC)

Morgans sees a lot of value in this packaging company’s shares following its 5:1 share consolidation.

In response to the consolidation, the broker has retained its buy rating and updated its price target to $76.00. Based on its current share price of $63.76, this implies potential upside of almost 20% between now and this time next year.

It highlights that the ASX 200 share is trading on very low forecast earnings multiples with a generous forward dividend yield. It said:

Following AMC’s recent 5:1 share consolidation, we update our per share estimates (EPS and DPS) to reflect the new share count. Our underlying earnings forecasts change marginally (between 0-1%), largely reflecting updates to FX assumptions. Our target price increases to $76.00 (from $15.20 previously) following the share consolidation.

With a 12-month forecast TSR of 21%, we maintain our BUY rating. Following AMC’s solid 1Q26 result, management’s increased confidence in delivering FY26 synergy targets, and the reaffirmation of FY26 guidance, we believe the outlook remains positive. Trading on 10x FY27F PE with a 5.8% yield, we continue to view the valuation as attractive. AMC is due to report its 1H26 result in early February.

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

Another ASX 200 share that Morgans is positive on this week is waste management leader Cleanaway.

It has upgraded its shares to a buy rating with a $3.11 price target. This implies potential upside of 23% for investors over the next 12 months before dividends.

Morgans sees scope for even more upside should Cleanaway become a takeover target in the future. In light of this, it sees recent share price weakness as a buy rating opportunity for investors.

Commenting on the ASX 200 share, the broker said:

We update our FY26 half-year earnings splits ahead of CWY’s 1H26 result on 26 February. 12 month target price unchanged at $3.11/sh. Valuation upside is evident from the takeover bid for QUB that implies a takeover value for CWY of c.$4/sh. Given CWY’s recent share price weakness we upgrade from ACCUMULATE to BUY, with total potential return of c.25% at current prices.

The post Morgans says these ASX 200 shares can rise 20%+ appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Forget CBA and buy these ASX dividend shares
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• Buy, hold, sell: Amcor, ANZ, and Macquarie shares

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Building a portfolio that delivers income today while still growing over time can feel like a balancing act.

Lean too heavily toward income and you risk missing out on long-term capital growth. Focus only on growth and you may end up with little cash flow to reinvest or use when you need it. The good news is that the ASX offers plenty of opportunities to combine both objectives in a single, well-structured portfolio.

Here is how I would approach building an ASX portfolio designed for both income and growth.

Start with a reliable income base

Every income and growth portfolio benefits from a solid foundation.

This is where established Australian shares with consistent earnings and a history of paying dividends come into play. These businesses are often tied to everyday spending or essential services, which helps support regular cash flow across different market conditions.

Shares such as Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) or Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) are good examples of companies that may not grow rapidly, but can provide dependable income that anchors a portfolio.

This income can be taken as cash or reinvested to accelerate long-term growth.

Add shares that can grow dividends over time

The next step is to look beyond dividend yield alone.

Some of the most effective income portfolios are built around companies that start with a modest yield but increase their dividends as earnings grow. Over time, this can lead to a rising income stream that keeps pace with inflation and boosts total returns.

Businesses like ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) or CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) illustrate this approach. While income may not be the primary attraction initially, long-term earnings growth creates the capacity for higher dividends in the future.

This is where income and growth begin to work together rather than compete.

Use ETFs to smooth and diversify returns

ETFs can play a valuable role in balancing an ASX portfolio.

Income-focused ETFs provide diversified dividend exposure, reducing reliance on any single stock. At the same time, growth-oriented ETFs can lift long-term return potential without requiring constant stock selection.

An ETF such as Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY) can support income, while a broader fund like Vanguard MSCI International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) introduces global growth and diversification beyond Australia.

Using ETFs alongside individual shares helps create a smoother investment experience over time.

Reinvest income strategically

One of the most powerful tools in an income-and-growth portfolio is dividend reinvestment.

In the early and middle stages, reinvesting dividends back into shares or ETFs can significantly accelerate compounding. That income effectively buys more assets, which then generate even more income in the future.

As the portfolio grows, investors can gradually shift from full reinvestment toward taking some income as cash, without needing to overhaul the portfolio.

Foolish takeaway

Building an ASX portfolio for income and growth is about balance, not compromise.

By combining reliable dividend payers, companies with growing earnings, and a small number of well-chosen ETFs, it is possible to create a portfolio that delivers cash flow today while still compounding for the future. With patience and discipline, income and growth can work together rather than pulling in opposite directions.

The post How to build an ASX share portfolio for income and growth appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Are Woolworths shares a blue-chip buy?
• What are the healthcare stocks where RBC Capital Markets thinks you can make money?
• Why Goldman Sachs expects Woolworths shares to leap 21%, plus dividends!
• Check out this CSL share price forecast for 2026. It’s hard to believe!
• Would Warren Buffett buy Telstra shares?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL, ResMed, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed, Telstra Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL, Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF, and Vanguard Msci Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) has been one of the ASX’s biggest winners over the past year. But after a huge run, the stock has hit a speed bump today.

At the time of writing, Lynas shares are down 6.39% to $15.24. The pullback comes after a sharp rally in recent weeks. The stock is still up around 25% over the past month and more than 120% over the past year.

A breather after a strong rally

After a strong run higher, Lynas shares have run into selling pressure. Some investors appear to be taking profits following the recent rally, particularly after the stock moved close to a 3-month high.

This type of pullback is common in resource stocks, where momentum can change quickly. As prices cool across parts of the rare earths market, traders appear to be stepping back and reassessing, leading to short-term volatility.

Rare earths prices cool from recent highs

Another factor weighing on Lynas shares is a pullback in rare earth prices, particularly neodymium and praseodymium. These metals are critical for making magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defence equipment.

Prices surged strongly late last year on supply concerns and geopolitical tensions. More recently, those prices have cooled as markets review demand and Chinese supply conditions.

Why investors still back Lynas for the long run

Lynas is one of the few large rare earths producers outside China, a position that has attracted growing attention from both governments and global investors focused on supply security.

Demand for rare earths is expected to keep rising over the long term. These materials play a critical role in technologies that are central to global energy and security policies.

The company has also benefited from strong investor interest in anything linked to energy transition and national security.

What the market is watching next

Looking ahead, investors will be watching a few key things.

The biggest focus right now is rare earths pricing. Materials such as neodymium and praseodymium have eased recently, and any stabilisation or rebound would likely support the share price.

After a strong run, investors will also be looking closely at Lynas’ next earnings update to see whether the company can meet those higher expectations.

Foolish bottom line

Today’s drop looks more like consolidation than reversal in the underlying trend. After rising more than 120% in a year, some volatility is normal.

For long-term investors, the key question is whether demand for rare earths keeps growing. If it does, Lynas is very well placed to benefit over the long term.

The post Why Lynas shares are sliding today, despite a massive year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why Catalyst Metals, Lynas, Polynovo, and St George Mining shares are pushing higher today
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• Lynas shares storm 26% higher. Is the stock a buy, hold or sell for 2026?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) share price is in the green in Tuesday afternoon trade. At the time of writing, the shares are 0.38% higher at $82.95 a piece.

For the year to date, shares in the retailer, which owns the Kmart Group, Bunnings Warehouse, Officeworks, Priceline, and many more household names, have climbed 1.47%. They’re now trading 15.58% ahead of this time last year.

Why is the Wesfarmers share price in the spotlight this week?

On Monday, the AFR reported that Wesfarmers had abruptly called off plants to support the largest franchisee in its Priceline pharmacy network, Infinity Pharmacy Group, which owes more than $400 million. The move means the company is on the verge of collapse and has been pushed into receivership.

In an update today, the AFR said that Wesfarmers reportedly “accused the owner of the largest Priceline franchisee [Infinity Pharmacy Group] of embarking on a debt-fuelled acquisition spree even as the business teetered on the brink and was falling behind in paying suppliers”.

The Wesfarmer share price has fallen 0.126% since Monday morning. While the latest news doesn’t appear to have affected the stock right now, it could affect investor sentiment as the group moves closer to its FY26 half-year results announcement. Wesfarmers is expected to post its next update next month on the 19th February.

The retail company’s annual general meeting (AGM) in late October slashed investor confidence and caused a sharp 15% sell-off. Some areas of the business saw year-to-date sales growth, but management said that challenging trading conditions have affected its Industrial and Safety division.

What do analysts think of the stock?

Analysts are bearish on the outlook for Wesfarmers shares. TradingView data shows that 7 out of 15 analysts have a sell or strong sell rating on Wesfarmers shares. Another 6 have a hold rating, while two have a strong buy rating.

The average target price is currently $81.64, implying a 2.14% downside for investors over the next 12 months at the time of writing. Although the difference between the maximum and minimum 12-month target price is significant. 

Some analysts think the shares could fall another 23.78% to $63.60 over the next 12 months, from the current trading price. Meanwhile, others are much more optimistic and expect the Wesfarmers share price to jump 19.8% to $100 per share.

In my view, Wesfarmers shares are a long-term passive-income play rather than a short-term gain play.

The company is one of the most effective ASX blue-chip shares to own over the long term. That’s because while Wesfarmers is famous for its household-name retailers, it also owns several other businesses. This diversity helps the company maintain a strong track record of delivering growth while consistently increasing dividends for shareholders.

The post Why is everyone talking about the Wesfarmers share price this week? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

RBC Capital Markets has issued a note to its clients this week, warning that the coming reporting season could be a difficult one for the healthcare sector.

But that’s not to say they believe there isn’t money to be made, with bullish price targets on a number of stocks.

Doing it tough

The RBC team said broadly regarding the sector:

We are expecting a somewhat difficult reporting season for our covered Australian healthcare companies with most results either coming in line with consensus expectations or disappointing. We have a similarly challenging view for the remainder of 2026 with our covered companies likely affected by new management teams ‘kitchen sinking’ guidance, cost pressures impacting margins, and competitive threats constraining revenue growth.

RBC said they were flagging “potential result misses” from Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH), Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG), Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN), Australian Clinical Labs Ltd (ASX: ACL), Monash IVF Ltd (ASX: MVF), and a beat from CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL).

They went on to say:

In this context, we favour stocks with strong near-term earnings outlooks that can hold their current valuation multiples and obtain share price appreciation through earnings growth.

These companies included CSL, ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD), Cochlear, Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN), and Integral Diagnostics Ltd (ASX: IDX).

Price targets looking attractive

Drilling down further into the companies expected to experience share price gains, RBC said they believed ResMed would deliver a “solid” result, with double-digit revenue and net profit growth.

RBC has a price target on ResMed of US$311 for its US-listed stock compared with $US257.58 currently, which would be a 20.7% gain if achieved.

For CSL, RBC expects “a better-than-expected result with revenue and gross profit exceeding consensus forecasts”.

RBC has a price target of $230 on CSL shares compared with $178.21 currently.

For Cochlear, the RBC team believe the hearing device company could miss consensus forecasts, but still has a bullish price target on the stock of $325 compared with $268.93 currently.

Regarding Ansell, RBC forecasts “a soft operational result with revenue and gross profit missing consensus expectations, but better cost management enabling an EBIT and NPAT beat”.

RBC has a price target of $41 on Ansell shares compared with $33.75 currently.

For Integral Diagnostics, RBC “forecast IDX’s 1H26 revenue being in line with consensus, however earnings coming in below expectations”.

Despite this they have a bullish share price target of $3.50, compared with $2.59 currently.

The post What are the healthcare stocks where RBC Capital Markets thinks you can make money? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build an ASX share portfolio for income and growth
• 3 ASX shares I would hold for the next 10 years
• Check out this CSL share price forecast for 2026. It’s hard to believe!
• 3 ASX 200 shares I’d load up on if markets crashed tomorrow
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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has positions in CSL. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Cochlear, Nanosonics, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell, CSL, Cochlear, Integral Diagnostics, and Nanosonics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are pushing higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) supermarket giant closed yesterday trading for $30.46. In afternoon trade on Tuesday, shares are changing hands for $30.55 each, up 0.3%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.6% at this same time.

Taking a step back, Woolworths shares are up a slender 1.3% over the past 12 months. Though that doesn’t include the 84 cents a share in fully-franked dividends Woolies paid to eligible stockholders over this time.

Woolworths stock currently trades on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 2.8%.

Why have Woolworths shares underperformed over the full year?

Shares in the supermarket giant have yet to fully recover from the steep falls that followed on the release of the company’s FY 2025 results on 27 August.

Indeed, the stock remains down 8.5% since market close on 26 August, the day prior to the results release.

Woolworths shares plunged 14.7% on 27 August and continued to slide from there through to mid-October.

Investors were overheating their sell buttons after the company reported a 12.6% year-on-year fall in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to $2.75 billion. And FY 2025 net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.39 billion was down 17.1% from FY 2024.

Why Goldman Sachs is bullish on Woolworths stock

After plumbing a five-year closing low of $25.91 a share on 14 October, shares in the ASX 200 supermarket have been on the rebound, now up 17.9% from those lows.

Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell foreshadowed that improving performance following the release of the company’s FY 2025 results.

“After a highly disrupted first half, we have taken action to reposition the group for long-term sustainable growth,” Bardwell said at the time.

Bardwell added:

We have seen some early positive signs with improving customer scores… Most important was getting it right for our customers.

We have invested in lowering shelf prices, increasing specials and absorbing cost price increases on everyday items and made our pricing clearer and easier to understand.

And Goldman Sachs believes the past three months’ rebound in Woolies’ stock is far from finished (courtesy of The Bull).

The broker recently initiated coverage on the supermarket giant with a buy rating, noting that the Aussie Supermarket segment more broadly is approaching a “turning point” amid improving product and shelf availability.

Goldman Sachs analyst Peter Marks has a $37 price target on Woolworths shares. That represents a potential upside of 21.1% from current levels. And it doesn’t include those upcoming dividends.

The post Why Goldman Sachs expects Woolworths shares to leap 21%, plus dividends! appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 excellent ASX dividend stocks I would buy in 2026
• How to build your first ASX share portfolio step by step
• 5 reasons to buy Woolworths shares in 2026
• Where to invest $10,000 in ASX 200 shares this month
• DIY investors: How to build a stable income portfolio starting with $50,000

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goldman Sachs Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Soaring ASX small-cap gold shares played a big role in the outperformance of the S&P/ASX Small Ords Index (ASX: XSO) last year.

Robert Hawkesford and Daniel Broeren, who run Blackwattle’s Small Cap Quality Fund, said strongly rising share prices for junior gold explorers pushed the small-cap index higher at 2.5x the pace of the S&P/ASX All Ords Index (ASX: XAO) in 2025.

Small-caps are typically young, growing companies with market capitalisations of between a few hundred million dollars and $2 billion.

Let’s take a look at some examples of ASX small-cap gold shares booking incredible 12-month growth rates.

ASX small-cap gold shares ripping up the charts

Barton Gold Holdings Ltd (ASX: BGD)

The Barton Gold share price has soared 385% over 12 months.

Barton Gold is a mineral explorer in South Australia.

Its projects include Tarcoola, a brownfield open-pit mine, and Tunkillia, which has a 1.5Moz Au JORC Mineral Resource Estimate.

Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN)

The Kingsgate share price is up 408% over 12 months.

The Australian gold and silver producer owns the Chatree Gold Mine in Thailand and the Nueva Esperanza Gold-Silver Project in Chile.

Golden Horse Minerals Ltd CDI (ASX: GHM)

The Golden Horse share price has ascended 250% over 12 months.

Golden Horse is working on multiple gold prospects in Western Australia. Its flagship project is Hopes Hill.

Black Cat Syndicate Ltd (ASX: BC8)

Black Cat shares are up 111% over 12 months.

This Western Australian miner has a portfolio of high-grade projects in prime gold regions.

They include the Paulsens Gold Operation in the Pilbara and the Kal East Gold Project east of Kalgoorlie.

What’s next in 2026?

All of these ASX small-cap gold shares benefited from a 65% rally in the gold price last year.

That was gold’s greatest annual rise in more than four decades and came on top of a 27% lift in 2024.

Strong central bank purchasing, lower interest rates, geopolitical tensions, US tariffs, and other elements have fuelled gold’s growth.

Professional investors are expecting the gold price to rise further in 2026.

A Goldman Sachs poll conducted in November found one in three institutional investors expect gold to go above US$5,000 per ounce this year.

Today, the gold price is US$4,672 per ounce, down 0.1% at the time of writing.

Warwick Grigor, an analyst at mining investment company Far East Capital, says gold has continuing tailwinds in the new year.

In an article, Grigor commented:

There is not much doubt that the gold price will continue to rise during 2026.

Sure, there will be volatility and some people are already saying that gold is a sell, but you would have to be very brave to exit gold just now.

As Hawkesford and Broeren point out, “smaller cap companies offer the greatest range of opportunities” for investors.

By nature, these young companies have more room for growth than larger, established companies.

This makes ASX small-cap shares exciting, but also risky, for investors.

If you’re considering buying ASX small-cap gold shares, Grigor has some advice on how to choose among them.

How to choose ASX small-cap gold shares

Far East Capital expects another strong year for the gold sector in 2026, but Grigor warns that “not every company will be a winner”.

The first step to selecting a good ASX small-cap gold share for investment is assessing its quality.

Grigor said:

Take the time to think about the quality of the investment being presented to you.

An existing producer can be more easily assessed by looking at its track record but there are many new companies coming through the pipeline.

They will be highly aspirational and have grand plans, but you need to take the time to consider how realistic they are.

The second step is considering the quality of the management team.

If you’re happy with the people running the business, then step three is assessing its technical merits.

Grigor said:

Many of these companies will be going to raise money while the ducks are quacking, but often their plans will be incomplete and uncertain — yet they can be made to look good on paper.

Most of these should be treated as trading opportunities in the near term, and they might be great stocks to own in the resource definition and expansion stage but never forget about the subsequent development and commissioning risk.

The post Considering ASX small-cap gold shares? Expert advice on how to decide appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.